The trend estimate of building work done fell 0.8% in the September quarter 2004. Slowing growth in residential building (+0.3%) was offset by a fall in non-residential building (-2.9%).

Engineering work done was relatively flat, growing 0.1% in the September quarter 2004.

Total construction work done fell 0.4% in the latest quarter.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED ESTIMATES

The seasonally adjusted estimate of building work done fell 2.7% in the September quarter 2004, to $12,459.6m. Residential building rose 0.2%, to $8,695.2m, a level only exceeded by the June quarter 2000. Non-residential building fell 8.7% in the September quarter 2004, to $3,764.4m, the lowest estimate since the December quarter 2002.

Engineering work done was relatively flat, growing 0.1%, to $6,819.0m in the September quarter 2004. A rise in work done for the public sector of 5.3%, to $3,126.1m, was offset by a fall in work done for the private sector of 3.9%, to $3,692.9m.

Total construction work done fell 1.7%, to $19,278.6m, in the latest quarter.

NOTES

ABOUT THIS ISSUE

This publication provides an early indication of trends in building and engineering construction activity. The data are estimates based on a response rate of approximately 80% of the value of both building and engineering work done during the quarter. More comprehensive and updated results will be released in Building Activity, Australia (cat. no. 8752.0) on 21 January 2005 and in Engineering Construction Activity, Australia (cat. no. 8762.0) on 20 January 2005.

CHANGES IN THIS ISSUE

The underlying price indexes used in the compilation of the chain volume measures have been re-referenced resulting in minor revisions to the chain volume measures from September quarter 2000 onwards.

New tables have been included in this issue, details of the tables are:

tables 13 and 14 shows state and territory Construction Work Done in Chain Volume Measures for original, seasonally adjusted and trend data

table 15 shows the value of Work in the Pipeline in Current Prices, original for Australia

table 16 shows number of Dwelling Units Approved but Not Yet Commenced, original for states and territories.

Corresponding tables have been released electronically and are available via AusStats. An additional table, table 15b, is included in AusStats which shows value of Work in the Pipeline in Current Prices, original for states and territories.

INQUIRIES

For further information about these and related statistics, contact the National Information and Referral Service on 1300 135 070 or Andrew Stidston on Adelaide (08) 8237 7668.

SUMMARY COMMENTARY

CONSTRUCTION WORK DONE, CHAIN VOLUME MEASURES

TREND PERCENTAGE CHANGE

TOTAL CONSTRUCTION

The total value of construction work done decreased for the first quarter since the March quarter 2001.

ENGINEERING

Engineering construction work done has increased for fourteen successive quarters.

BUILDING

Total building work decreased in the latest quarter after four quarters of growth.

RESIDENTIAL

Residential building work has increased for the last five quarters, with the rate of growth slowing over recent quarters.

NON-RESIDENTIAL

Non-residential work has fallen for the last two quarters following four quarters of growth.

CONSTRUCTION WORK DONE, STATES AND TERRITORIES

CHAIN VOLUME MEASURES - TREND ESTIMATES

NEW SOUTH WALES, VICTORIA

Following strong growth since early 2001 construction work done has fallen for the latest two quarters for New South Wales and the latest quarter for Victoria.

QUEENSLAND, WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Construction work done continues to grow in Queensland with growth in the engineering sector predominant over recent quarters. Construction work done in Western Australia has grown for the last three quarters.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA, TASMANIA

Construction work done in South Australia has been growing since December 2000. In Tasmania, growth has been strong for six quarters.

NORTHERN TERRITORY, AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

Construction work done in the Northern Territory has fallen for the past two quarters due to declines in both building and engineering sectors. The Australian Capital Territory has shown growth for the past two quarters.

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